WWE SmackDown: 5 Possible US Title Opponents For Rusev

Credit: WWE.com

For the third time in his career, Rusev claimed the United States Championship, but this triumph felt the sweetest, as The Bulgarian George Clooney defeated Shinsuke Nakamura on WWE SmackDown in front of a fired-up crowd.

Rusev has been one of WWE‘s most popular superstars for well over a year, and he’s carved his own opportunities as a member of the SmackDown Live roster. After breaking up with tag team partner Aiden English, who turned out to be quite the creep in kayfabe, Rusev focused his attention on winning the United States Championship from the mercurial Shinsuke Nakamura, who rarely defended the title.

And on the Christmas Day episode of WWE SmackDown, Rusev finally got his hands on Nakamura in a match where The King of Strong Style wasn’t able to weasel his way out of a real fight. With all the chips on the table and nowhere for Nakamura to hide, Rusev won, even if it took everything he had in him, including two Machka Kicks.

It was tremendous hearing the fans cheer loudly for Rusev, who showed great heart en route to becoming a three-time United States Champion. But as Rusev knows well, it’s one thing to win the title; retaining the championship is an entirely different ballgame.

He’ll surely have a target on his back, with superstars like Samoa Joe and Andrade “Cien” Almas hungry for their first main roster championship victories. However, the man Rusev should fear the most is Randy Orton, who has proven time after time that he can take down even the most fearless of WWE Superstars.

Here are four possible US Title opponents for Rusev in the near future, including the three aforementioned names.